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LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2025) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced the recipients of their Top Flight Awards on Friday, May 2, with graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz receiving honors from flight five. The honor marks the first for both players and first postseason honor […]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2025) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced the recipients of their Top Flight Awards on Friday, May 2, with graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz receiving honors from flight five.
The honor marks the first for both players and first postseason honor as a pair. The distinction is the second postseason award for Holbrook, who was voted Second Team All-ASUN by the Atlantic Sun Conference on April 23. It also marks the second-straight season a North Alabama pair has won the honor, with senior Katy Floyd and junior Selma Robinson winning the award in 2024 from flight two.
The selection adds to Beach Volleyball’s postseason award tally, who already secured seven honors from the conference. North Alabama earns its eighth during the 2025 campaign while marking the seventh different Lion to receive a postseason honor. UNA had two academic ASUN honors, two first-team and one second-team all-conference selections and three all-freshman team selections. UNA’s Floyd and Robinson also received their first career ASUN Pair of the Year honor.
Top Flight awards recognize excellence in collegiate beach volleyball from all over the country and across all flights. Eligible pairs must compete in at least 15 matches together at a specific flight number and win at least 75% of their matches—regardless of the overall result of the dual.
The fifth-flight pairing combined for a 19-7 record on the year, posting a 7-3 record in ASUN play. Their 19 wins is the eighth most all-time in program history for pair season wins.
Holbrook and Benesz went on winning streaks of four or more three times this season, including a season-high six from Feb. 28 to March 8. They also picked up two victories against ranked opponents, earning fifth-flight wins against No. 10 LSU on Feb. 28 and No. 16 North Florida on March 28.
Click here for the full awards list.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Thomas records runner-up finish at USATF U20 Championships
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USA Track & Field Statement on Pan American U20 Championships
EUGENE, Ore. – North Dakota track and field thrower Ethan Thomas competed in the shot put at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships on Friday night and finished […]
EUGENE, Ore. – North Dakota track and field thrower Ethan Thomas competed in the shot put at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships on Friday night and finished as the runner-up with a toss of 68-7 3/4 (20.92m). With that throw, Thomas currently ranks No. 9 in the United States all-time with the 6kg shot put weight. His second-place finish was also the best by any individual at the meet in UND’s Division I history.
In the shot put on Friday, Thomas recorded the runner-up finish with his opening throw of 68-7 3/4 (20.92m). Jackson Cantwell was the only competitor with a better mark than Thomas and won the crown with a toss of 69-8 (21.23m). Historically, both Thomas and Cantwell would have advanced and competed for the United States in the Pan American U20 Championships in July, but USA Track & Field announced 10 days ago that they would not be fielding a team for the meet due to logistical concerns. The Pan American U20 Championships will take place from July 11-13, in Villavicencio, Colombia.
Thomas also took part in the discus on Thursday evening but did not record a mark in the event. He is the first North Dakota student-athlete to compete in both the shot put and discus at the USATF U20 Championships in UND’s Division I era.
At the Triton Invitational at the beginning of April, Thomas qualified for the USATF U20 Championships with a shot put throw of 63-7 3/4 (19.40m) in the elite section and captured the title. With that throw, he obliterated the previous program record of 58-10 (17.93m), which was set by Chris Evenson at the 2021 Mizzou Spring Opener.
During the final week of the regular season, Thomas also qualified for the meet in the discus with a mark of 181-3 (55.24m) at the NDSU Tune-Up and won the crown. That throw currently sits No. 2 in UND history.
Most recently, Thomas finished 35th in the shot put with a throw of 57-11 1/4 (17.66m) at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. His throw gave him the longest throw at the NCAA West Regional in program history. By throwing the shot at the regional, he became just the fourth UND student-athlete on the men’s side to compete in the event at the meet in program history.
At the Summit League Outdoor Championships, Thomas was a two-time All-Summit League performer and was named the Newcomer of the Championship at the conclusion of the meet. He was the silver medalist in the javelin (201-10, 61.53m) and earned the bronze medal in the shot put (58-0 1/4, 17.68m).
During the regular season, Thomas set the school record in the shot put (63-7 3/4, 19.40m), is No. 2 in UND history in the discus (181-3, 55.24m), No. 5 in the javelin (201-10, 61.53m) and No. 10 in the hammer throw (175-8, 53.54m). He won nine event titles during the season, highlighted by four shot put crowns.
For more information on North Dakota track & field, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDtrackfieldXC.
Best beaches in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie: Blind Creek nude beach
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list. Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie. These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to […]
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, South Causeway, Jetty Park, Avalon, Gulfstream, John Brooks, Frederick Douglass, Kimberly Bergalis top the list.
Let’s go to the beach — in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie.
These are the best beaches in the area, either popular and packed with people or lesser-known with small parking lots to keep crowds away.
This list includes whether these beaches have restrooms and outdoor showers, as well as other amenities such as picnic pavilions and sand volleyball courts. All have parking lots, some paved and others not.
No lifeguards are on duty unless otherwise noted. All are free except state parks. No pets, alcohol, fires, camping or fireworks are allowed at beaches in Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County — with the exception of Walton Rocks Beach in Jensen Beach, which allows pets.
Here are the 16 best beaches in Fort Pierce and near Port St. Lucie, from north to south in St. Lucie County.
Vero Beach: 15 best beaches includes Jaycee Park, South Beach, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet
Staff pick: Entertainment reporter loves Fort Pierce beach for surfing, snorkeling
Avalon State Park
North State Road A1A, 4 miles north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Park or 9 miles south of Vero Beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$2 per vehicle, pedestrians and bicyclists (use honor box to pay fees; correct change required)
Includes 1.7 miles of beach, restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, paved parking, nature trail
Popular surf spot for beginner and intermediate surfers
Pepper Park Beachside
3302 N. State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
52-acre park next to National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Open 24 hours daily
Lifeguards on duty during day
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, grills, sand volleyball court, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball court, paved parking
Popular beginner surf spot and snorkeling spot because of shallow reefs about 100 yards offshore and Urca de Lima shipwreck, the state’s first underwater archeological preserve located in about 20 feet of water
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce
Half-mile of dune, coastal hammock and pristine beach
Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
$6 per vehicle up to 8 people; $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist, extra passenger
Includes restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, hiking trails, bicycle path, paved parking
Popular experienced surf spot and snorkeling spot because of rocky jetty to see snook, lobsters, sea turtles, nurse sharks, tropical fish, jacks and the occasional hogfish
Snorkeling: 6 best snorkel spots in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Stuart
Surfing: 6 best beginner surf spots in Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Stuart
South Causeway Beach
Jetty Park Beach (Fort Pierce Beach)
Seaway Drive and State Road A1A, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, deck, bike rack, paved parking lot
Walk along the South Jetty to see manatees and dolphins when conditions allowed and watch kite surfers on windy days fly across the water
Porpoise Beach
Gulfstream Beach
State Road A1A and Gulfstream Avenue, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Small paved parking lot
South Beach Park
Kimberly Bergalis Memorial Park
S. Ocean Drive and Melaleuca Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, showers, pavilions, grills, paved parking lot
Named after 23-year-old woman who died of AIDS-related illnesses in 1991 after she was infected with HIV by a Jensen Beach dentist
Surfside Park
Coconut Drive Park
Blue Heron Beach
John Brooks Park Beachside
3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
226-acre upland and wetland preserve with 2 miles of beachfront dunes
Includes wooden ramp dune crossover with covered viewing area, small unpaved parking lot
Named after environmental activist John Brooks
Only beach that allows horseback riding tours
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park
3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce
Open sunrise to sunset daily
Includes restrooms, pavilions, picnic tables, unpaved parking lot
Named after the famous African-American abolitionist, editor and author
Middle Cove Beach
Blind Creek Beachside
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave) You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco […]
Wednesday, June 25, Coronado Fire Station Venue (126 Orange Ave)
You’re invited to an evening of fun, community, and purpose as we come together to support the Alzheimer’s Association in the heart of Coronado. Enjoy a lively cocktail hour starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a spirited game of Bunco from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned Bunco pro or brand new to the game, it’s all about rolling the dice for a cause that matters.
Enjoy raffles, prizes, signature cocktails, light bites, and surprises throughout the night. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Bring your friends, your lucky dice, and your heart for giving. Let’s roll for awareness, support families, and raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. For more information and to purchase your ticket, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1393131938129?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Sports Production Innovation Summit 2025: Picture Gallery
SVG Europe together with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO welcomed 200 people to Barcelona for last week’s inaugural Sports Production Innovation Summit. Attendees were treated to insights from leading figures at organisations including Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) MotoGP, Hexagon Cup, SailGP, Telefonica Broadcast Services, GRUP MEDIAPRO and more, with topics discussed including […]
SVG Europe together with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO welcomed 200 people to Barcelona for last week’s inaugural Sports Production Innovation Summit.
Attendees were treated to insights from leading figures at organisations including Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) MotoGP, Hexagon Cup, SailGP, Telefonica Broadcast Services, GRUP MEDIAPRO and more, with topics discussed including the latest innovations in AI-driven production, cloud-based workflows, content creation for emerging and challenger sports and the future of centralised and remote production.
SVG Europe’s Sports Production Innovation Summit took place in Barcelona with event partner GRUP MEDIAPRO
James Ransome of title sponsor Ross Video delivers his welcome remarks
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) chief technology officer Sotiris Salamouris, in conversation with SVG co-executive director of editorial services Ken Kerschbaumer
Laura Llames, LiveU, Country Manager, South Europe, speaking as part of the Capturing the Action panel
Mads Astrup Rønning, Green Producers Club, Founder & Head of International Operations, Steve Knee, Cloudbass, Managing Director, Ursula Romero, ISB, Managing Director, Judith Fernandez, Grup Mediapro, Head of Sustainability speak about sustainability in sports production
Fernando Pinto Jez, TVU Networks, Head of Solutions, EMEA, speaks about how how Mediapro and TVU Networks helped CONCACAF centralise VAR operations
GRUP MEDIAPRO CEO and President Tatxo Benet welcomes attendees
SVG Europe’s George Bevir, with Victor Casanovas, SevenMila Sports Agency, General Manager, Jose Garnes, Hexagon Cup, Head of Content and Chris Carpenter, SailGP, Exec Producer speak about creating content for new and challenger sports
David Jaouen, Haivision, Senior Sales Director, Broadcast Europe, on innovation in cost-effective content creation
Moderator Paco Garcia with Laia Espuny Planelles, Automatic.TV (Part of Grup Mediapro), Product Manager Sergi Sendra, MotoGP, Head of Global Technology, Fernando Pinto Jez, TVU Networks, Head of Solutions, EMEA discuss innovation and AI in sports production
SVG Europe’s George Bevir with Ursula Romero, ISB, Managing Director, Greg Breakell, ISB, Senior Coordinating Producer / Director and Sofia Zhuang, ISB, Coordinating Producer The World Games speak about the upcoming World Games 2025
Emili Planas, Grup Mediapro, CTO and Operations Manager on a panel discussing remote production, along with Roberto Jimeno Jiménez, Telefonica Broadcast Services, CTO, Donald Sievewright, Matrox, EMEA Sales Director, Dirk Thometzek, LucidLink, Solutions Architect
Canada loses 3-0 to No. 2 Brazil in women’s Volleyball Nations League action | National Sports
ISTANBUL – Canada’s women’s team lost its third match in three days with a 3-0 defeat to No. 2 Brazil in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League on Friday. VNL rookie Abby Guezen led the Canadians with 13 points, all off the attack. Nyadholi Thokbuom tallied 12 points — nine off the attack, two off blocks […]
ISTANBUL – Canada’s women’s team lost its third match in three days with a 3-0 defeat to No. 2 Brazil in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League on Friday.
VNL rookie Abby Guezen led the Canadians with 13 points, all off the attack. Nyadholi Thokbuom tallied 12 points — nine off the attack, two off blocks and one off a serve.
Set scores were 25-20, 25-23 and 25-23.
Canada (2-5) also lost 3-2 to South Korea on Wednesday and 3-0 to host Turkey on Thursday.
The Canadians rank 15th in the 18-country round robin with five preliminary phase matches remaining.
Canada will have a day off before facing Belgium on Sunday.
“I’m very happy to see the team getting better each day,” head coach Giovanni Guidetti said. “Today we had a chance to win two sets against Brazil, that means the team is performing well because we played at the same level as Brazil, so we should be proud of that. We need to be better at the end of the sets, but again, we had a chance against Brazil, which is a good sign.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Enquirer readers’ choices for 2024-2025 fall athletes of the year
In a vote that ended June 20, Cincinnati.com readers selected the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 fall season. The Enquirer placed the athlete of the week winners from all fall sports into one ballot per category. Here are the readers’ choices for winners. Advertisement The winter athletes of […]
In a vote that ended June 20, Cincinnati.com readers selected the Enquirer/Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Athletes of the Year for the 2024-2025 fall season.
The Enquirer placed the athlete of the week winners from all fall sports into one ballot per category. Here are the readers’ choices for winners.
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The winter athletes of the year voting will begin Monday, June 23, and the spring vote will be Monday, June 30.
Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Ohio football team of the year: Batavia
Northern Kentucky/Indiana football team of the year: Bishop Brossart
Boys fall team of the year: Villa Madonna cross country
Girls fall team of the year: Villa Madonna volleyball
Ohio boys cross-country athlete of the year: Caden Winship, Mason
Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys cross-country athlete of the year: Mark Antrobus, Villa Madonna
Ohio girls cross-country athlete of the year: Sophia France, Little Miami
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls cross-country athlete of the year: Ellie Frey, Conner
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Boys golfer of the year: Cayse Morgan, Elder
Girls golfer of the year: Eva Becerril, Sycamore
Field hockey athlete of the year: Chloe Castellini, Summit Country Day
Ohio big-school football player of the year: Caden Piening, Anderson
Ohio small-school football player of the year: Elijah Guttman, Cincinnati Country Day
Ohio big-school boys soccer player of the year: Brody Sucher, Kings
Ohio small-school boys soccer player of the year: Clemente Volk, Summit Country Day
Ohio big-school girls soccer player of the year: Emma Hartmann, Little Miami
Ohio small-school girls soccer player of the year: Ayla Jodrey, Bethel-Tate
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Northern Kentucky/Indiana boys soccer player of the year: Parker Monson, Simon Kenton
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls soccer player of the year: Rachel Shewmaker, Bishop Brossart
Ohio girls tennis player of the year: Lucy Glassmeyer, Mariemont
Ohio big-school girls volleyball player of the year: Malia Brinkman, Mount Notre Dame
Ohio small-school girls volleyball player of the year: Savanna Stacey, McNicholas
Northern Kentucky/Indiana girls volleyball player of the year: Victoria Sebald, Villa Madonna
Water polo player of the year: Marco DiLoreto, Mason
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Enquirer fall high school athletes of the year 2024-2025
